Absalom (image)

Hand colored stencil print on momigami by Sadao Watanabe (1972).

Image taken with permission from the SadaoHanga Catalogue where you can find many more images and information about Sadao Watanabe.

For other images of Sadao Watanabe art works in TIPs, see here.

See also Absalom.

Absalom

The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Absalom” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs depicting “hair + caught” referring to 2 Samuel 18:9. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Absalom” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

See also Absalom (image).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Absalom .

complete verse (2 Samuel 17:26)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 17:26:

  • Kupsabiny: “The Israelites and Absalom collected/gathered themselves in the province/area of Gilead.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then Absalom and the Israelites set up came in the district of Gilead.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Absalom and the Israelinhon camped at Gilead.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Absalom and his Israeli soldiers set up their tents in the Gilead region.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 17:26

Israel and Absalom: this does not refer to two individuals, as some readers may think. It is rather Absalom and his fighting force of Israelite soldiers. This should be made clear in translation.

Encamped: in some languages this may be best translated “set up their tents and spent the night.”

The land of Gilead: this was a mountainous region on the east side of the Jordan River, between the Arnon and Yarmuk Rivers. Instead of using the ambiguous word “of” in this expression, it will be better in most languages to say something like “the territory named Gilead.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .